Garden Inspired Health and Well-Being

Excessive cellular inflammation is all-too common in those following a poor diet consisting of a high quantity of processed foods, fast foods and GMO foods. Cellular inflammation is simply put as irritation to your body cells, and left unchecked will result in inflammatory conditions such as heart disease, arthritis, candida, allergies and more. None of these conditions are pleasant, nor should they be ignored. Inflammation is serious stuff, and in addition to triggering a myriad of possible diseases and unwanted health conditions, inflammation is also a primary cause of premature aging, and what people often refer to as “age-related” bodily symptoms and conditions.

What most people don’t, but should, realize, is that inflammation and all those “age-related” maladies are totally preventable, primarily through dietary means.

Some of the Many Signs That Your Body is Struggling with Too Much Inflammation

* You seem to get sick more often than others, and/or take longer to recover.

* You struggle with stubborn food cravings, mood swings and other signs of blood-sugar problems.

* Fatigue is a constant problem for you.

* You suffer from stiff, achy joints and muscles.

So, in addition to reducing and eliminating inflammation-causing foods from your diet (fast food, fried food, processed food, GMO food, soda, alcohol), studies show that eating a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods can reduce your inflammation levels in as little as 2 weeks, cutting your lifetime risk of premature aging in HALF! Additionally, continued regular consumption of anti-inflammatory foods is crucial if you wish to slash your risk of all those so-called “age-related” maladies.

Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Paprika: Whether sweet, spicy or smoked, consuming just 1/2 teaspoon of paprika daily has been shown to help reduce chronic cellular inflammation by as much as 20%, making this a must-have spice for those suffering from arthritis, gout and fibromyalgia. Credit goes to saponins, powerful compounds found in paprika that bind to inflammatory molecules in the digestive tract, effectively blocking their absorption.

Nuts and Nut Oils: All is takes is 1 ounce of healthy nuts , or 1 tablespoon of healthy nut oil daily, and you can reduce your body’s cellular inflammation levels by as much as 29% in as little as 1 month. Many nuts and nut oils are incredibly rich in the anti-inflammatory essential fatty acid Omega-3, which reduce your body’s production of prostaglandins, hormones that trigger inflammation in your bloodstream and tissues. Best nuts and nut oils include walnut, almond, pistachio, Brazil nuts and cashews.

Organic, Free-Range Eggs: Egg yolks from organic, free-range eggs are one of nature’s top food sources of choline, a B vitamin that converts inflammatory wastes into harmless molecules that can be flushed from the body through the kidneys. Multiple studies have proven that eating 2 organic eggs daily can reduce your body’s inflammation levels by as much as 22%.

Sweet Potatoes: A great source of complex carbs, fiber, beta-carotene, manganese and vitamin B6 and C, these potatoes actually help heal inflammation in the body.

Dark Leafy Greens: Studies have suggested that vitamin E may play a key role in protecting the body from pro-inflammatory molecules called cytokines—and one of the best sources of this vitamin is dark green veggies, such as spinach, kale, broccoli, and collard greens. Dark greens and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, etc.) also tend to have higher concentrations of vitamins and minerals—like calcium, iron, and disease-fighting phytochemicals—than those with lighter-colored leaves.

Tomatoes: Ripe red tomatoes are rich in lycopene, which has been shown to reduce inflammation in the lungs and throughout the body. Cooked tomatoes contain even more lycopene than raw ones, so tomato sauce works, too—and a few studies have even found that tomato juice consumption was also beneficial.

Turmeric and Ginger: Turmeric, the ingredient that gives curry its yellow color, works in the body by helping to turn off a NF-kappa B, a protein that regulates the immune system and triggers the process of inflammation, researchers say. Its relative ginger, meanwhile, has been shown to reduce inflammation in the intestines.

While this list is certainly not all-inclusive, it does outline very common foods that anyone can easily incorporate into their diet to immediately start soothing and healing the ravaging effects of inflammation. A plant-based diet should be of top consideration to those who are suffering from “age-related” maladies, and even if you choose to not eat a sole vegetarian diet, you should still always include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables in your daily diet.